.kmz files
.kmz file
Google Earth Placemark Archive
A zipped KML map file with its icons and overlays bundled in.
What opens a .kmz file
- Windows
- Google Earth Pro, QGIS, 7-Zip (to extract the KML)
- macOS
- Google Earth Pro, QGIS, Archive Utility (to extract)
- Linux
- Google Earth Pro, QGIS, unzip
- In a browser
- Google Earth for web, Google My Maps
What a .kmz file is
KMZ is a ZIP archive containing a KML document plus any images, icons or overlays it references, which is why maps are shared as KMZ rather than loose KML. Google Earth opens it directly, and Google My Maps imports it in a browser. Renaming to .zip and extracting gives you the plain-text KML inside.
Converting it
A .kmz file is commonly converted to .kml, .gpx, .geojson or .shp. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.
Details
- Extension
- .kmz
- Full name
- Google Earth Placemark Archive
- Category
- Data
- MIME type
- application/vnd.google-earth.kmz
- Created by
- Google / OGC
- Format
- Binary
Common questions
- How do I open a .kmz file?
- On Windows use Google Earth Pro; on macOS use Google Earth Pro; on Linux use Google Earth Pro. A zipped KML map file with its icons and overlays bundled in.
- What is a .kmz file?
- Google Earth Placemark Archive. KMZ is a ZIP archive containing a KML document plus any images, icons or overlays it references, which is why maps are shared as KMZ rather than loose KML. Google Earth opens it directly, and Google My Maps imports it in a browser.
- Can I convert a .kmz file?
- Yes. It is usually converted to .kml, .gpx, .geojson or .shp, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.
Related pages
- .csv — Comma-Separated Values A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange form
- .json — JavaScript Object Notation The standard text format for structured data on the web and in config files.
- .xml — Extensible Markup Language A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise syst
- .yaml — YAML Data File An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whites
- .log — Log File A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom.
- .torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the
- .dat — Generic Data File A meaningless extension — .dat says only that some program stored data here.
- .vcf — vCard Contact File One or more contacts as plain text — the standard way to move an address book.
- .sql — SQL Script A text file of database commands — often a full database dump.
- .ics — iCalendar Event A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format.
- .sqlite — SQLite Database A complete relational database in a single file — the most deployed database in
- .db — Generic Database File An extension many programs use for their data — it does not identify one format.
Sources
- Media Types Registry — IANA
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place